I just read an article called "Why I Don’t Trust A-Share Semiconductors" from Zhihu. If the content is partially true, then YMTC has troubles.
Core claims about YMTC:
• ~70% of internal R&D is outsourced; in-house development capability is weak. Process software is purchased rather than developed; in-house software is reportedly buggy.
• Daily focus is allegedly on refurbishing the premises to receive government delegations.
• Excessive headcount of outsourced workers; constant friction between full-time and outsourced staff.
Discriminatory treatment of outsourced workers cited:
• Banned from the morning shuttle bus even when seats are empty.
• Cannot swipe into the cafeteria after 11:30; banned from using the company microwave.
• In meetings, outsourced staff sit on stools around the perimeter rather than at the table.
Contrast drawn with Samsung/Hynix:
The author references the news that Samsung’s union announced an 18-day strike over unfair bonus allocation — Hynix removed its bonus cap on the back of the AI boom while Samsung did not, so workers are pushing for a larger share of AI-driven profits. The author’s framing: foreign workers fight collectively for everyone’s share of the AI dividend, whereas at YMTC the in-house staff fight to keep outsourced workers away from the microwave.
Core claims about YMTC:
• ~70% of internal R&D is outsourced; in-house development capability is weak. Process software is purchased rather than developed; in-house software is reportedly buggy.
• Daily focus is allegedly on refurbishing the premises to receive government delegations.
• Excessive headcount of outsourced workers; constant friction between full-time and outsourced staff.
Discriminatory treatment of outsourced workers cited:
• Banned from the morning shuttle bus even when seats are empty.
• Cannot swipe into the cafeteria after 11:30; banned from using the company microwave.
• In meetings, outsourced staff sit on stools around the perimeter rather than at the table.
Contrast drawn with Samsung/Hynix:
The author references the news that Samsung’s union announced an 18-day strike over unfair bonus allocation — Hynix removed its bonus cap on the back of the AI boom while Samsung did not, so workers are pushing for a larger share of AI-driven profits. The author’s framing: foreign workers fight collectively for everyone’s share of the AI dividend, whereas at YMTC the in-house staff fight to keep outsourced workers away from the microwave.


